Serving Six Popes: Msgr. Hilary Franco’s Remarkable Career

Msgr. Hilary Franco, who worked with six popes and helped transition the Vatican into the computer age, shared details of his early life and career in a recent interview. During a conversation on Sept. 30 at the Parish of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Briarcliff Manor, the 94-year-old monsignor discussed his roots as a Bronx native and his upcoming book, "Six Popes: A Son of the Church Remembers."

Franco recounted how a chance encounter led to his path in the Church. While working on Broadway, he befriended an elderly priest and offered him rides. On one occasion, he drove the priest to a meeting with Cardinal Francis Spellman. Although the cardinal offered him a scholarship to study for the priesthood in Rome, Franco declined the opportunity at the time.